ROJoson PEP Talk: National Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week - 2023

Empowerment
objective - for
laypeople to have an
understanding of
fundamentals and
generalities of
THYROID CANCER in
their health
management.
September 09, 2023
1400H - 1500H
Via Zoom
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Empowerment
objective - for
understanding of
fundamentals and
generalities of
THYROID CANCER in
their health
management.
September 09, 2023
1400H - 1500H
Via Zoom
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023
Welcome all!
MUTE yourself but always
show your video picture.
Sign in your name, FB
account, or email address in
the Chat Box! Include names
of companions attending.
Use the Chat Box to ask
questions and make
comments while the PEP TALK
is on.
There will be group pictures
at start and end of PEP TALK –
show your face in video.

Reminder after the PEP
Talk:
Take the Online Learning
cum Evaluation Test
Exercise (OLETE) for
mastery of learning and
have a perfect score to get
a Certificate.
Link is in Chat Box.

Reminder:
50 OLETE Certificates = 1
Voucher for ROJoson
Telemedical Consultation

Empowerment
objective - for
understanding of
fundamentals and
generalities of
THYROID CANCER in
their health
management.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023
ROJOSON’S REQUEST:
FEEDBACK TO THIS
PEP TALK!
Pls. type in your
feedback in the chat
box during the open
forum and before we
adjourn!
Thank you!

Empowerment
objective - for
understanding of
fundamentals and
generalities of
THYROID CANCER in
their health
management.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023
LET’S NOW HAVE A
GROUP PICTURE
TAKING BEFORE WE
START PEP TALK
PROPER IN 2
MINUTES!
Pls. turn on your
video!
Show your face!

Empowerment
objective - for
understanding of
fundamentals and
generalities of
THYROID CANCER in
their health
management.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023
ROJoson PEP Talk
I have a Patient
Empowerment
Program in which I
like to empower the
lay people or
patients to take
control in the
management of
their health.

There are 3 courses
in the PEP Talk.
I completed the Core
Course on October 9,
2021.

From October 23,
2021 onwards, I have
been tackling Health
Disorder and Health
Issue Courses. This
may take 3 years or
longer.

Empowerment
objective - for
understanding of
fundamentals and
generalities of
THYROID CANCER in
their health
management.
My PEP TALK today is
entitled:
National Thyroid
Cancer Awareness
Week – 2023.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Contents:
• When is National Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week in
the Philippines?
• What are the objectives of National Thyroid Cancer
Awareness Week?
• How do we observe the National Thyroid Cancer
Awareness Week? You and Me?
• What are ROJoson’s specific contributions to the
National Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week in the
Philippines in 2023?
• What are the objectives, target impact and target
outcome of the WEEK?
• What are the focused contents of ROJoson PEP Talk on
THYROID CANCER Awareness for the Filipinos?
• Recognition of ROJoson Thyroid Cancer Survivors and
sharing of experience
Will give another
outline on this.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

When is National Thyroid Cancer Awareness
Week in the Philippines?
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

When is National Thyroid Cancer Awareness
Week in the Philippines?
The Philippines, through Republic Act No. 10786
approved on May 2016, observes the National
Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week every fourth
week of September every year.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

What are the objectives of National Thyroid
Cancer Awareness Week?
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

What are the objectives of National Thyroid
Cancer Awareness Week?
“To ensure a meaningful observance of the week
as herein declared, a comprehensive public
education and awareness program shall be
undertaken to discuss the causes, consequences,
diagnoses, treatments, and prevention of thyroid
cancer.”
Republic Act No. 10786
National Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

How do we observe the National Thyroid Cancer
Awareness Week?
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Awareness Week?
YOU
– Make efforts to know the “causes,
consequences, diagnoses, treatments, and
prevention of thyroid cancer.”
• Read.
• Attend lectures / talks provided by DOH and
other agencies (and ROJoson PEP Talk).
– Examine your body for a possible thyroid cancer.
• Do a self-examination of your thyroid gland.
• Consult a physician for a check or if you have
symptoms of thyroid disorder.
If you do all these,
you are
EMPOWERING
YOURSELF.
You are contributing
to the goal of the
Awareness Week –
LESSEN the number
of Filipinos suffering
and dying from
thyroid cancer.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

program
Awareness Week?
ME – ROJoson
What are ROJoson’s specific contributions to the
National Cancer Awareness Week in the
ROJoson PEP Talk on Thyroid Cancer
AWARENESS - Patient Empowerment
Program (Education for Health
Development in the Philippines)
This will be my
contribution in 2023.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

ROJoson PEP Talk: National Thyroid
Cancer Awareness Week - 2023
This will be my contribution to the national
program.
I will align my PEP Talk with the objectives of the
national program.
However, I will try to make my PEP Talk down-to-
earth (reasonable, simple and practical, cost-
effective-efficient, etc.), hopefully, to better
achieve the impact of the national program.
“To ensure a meaningful
observance of the week
as herein declared, a
comprehensive public
education and
awareness program shall
be undertaken to discuss
the causes,
consequences,
diagnoses, treatments,
and prevention of
thyroid cancer.”
National Thyroid Cancer
Awareness Week
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

This will be my contribution to the national
program.
I will target at least 10 Filipinos who will pass the
ROJ-OCIL-OLETE on Thyroid Cancer Awareness.
This will serve as one of the key performance
indicators of my contribution.
So, my request ----- pls. take and pass the OLETE.
education and
the causes,
consequences,
and prevention of
thyroid cancer.”
Awareness Week
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Cancer Awareness Week – 2023
My objectives will be the following:
• To create awareness among Filipinos on
thyroid cancer for those who are still not
aware.
• To create more awareness among Filipinos on
thyroid cancer for those who have some
knowledge already on thyroid cancer.
• At least on the following: CCDTP (causes,
consequences, diagnoses, treatment,
prevention) of thyroid cancer
education and
the causes,
consequences,
and prevention of
thyroid cancer.”
Awareness Week
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

My objectives will be the following:
• To create awareness among Filipinos on
thyroid cancer for those who are still not
aware.
• To create more awareness among Filipinos on
thyroid cancer for those who have some
knowledge already on thyroid cancer.
• At least on the following: CCDTP (causes,
consequences, diagnoses, treatment,
prevention) of thyroid cancer
education and
the causes,
consequences,
and prevention of
thyroid cancer.”
Awareness Week
This awareness will be measured by my OLETE
(Online Learning cum Evaluation Test Exercise).
So, pls. take the OLETE and help me achieve my
objectives.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

My targeted IMPACT:
Through EDUCATION and PATIENT
EMPOWERMENT,
• Lessen the number of Filipinos dying and
suffering from thyroid cancer because of late
consult and treatment.
I will promote early diagnosis and
treatment in my PEP Talk.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

My targeted IMPACT:
EMPOWERMENT,
The impact cannot be to
save ALL! To prevent
death in ALL! To prevent
suffering in ALL!
THIS IS UNREALISTIC! It
cannot be 100%.
LESSENING the number
is more realistic and
reasonable.
Thus, the realistic and
reasonable strategy is to
promote early consult
and early treatment to
lessen number of death
and suffering.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Cancer Awareness Week – 2023
My targeted IMPACT:
EMPOWERMENT,
I have to confess that I will
NOT be able to measure
the impact of my PEP Talk
adequately as it takes a
long time to see the
impact (YEARS!)
What I can just do are to
count the number of my
OLETE passers who
hopefully practice what
they learn – early
recognition, consult and
treatment and, of course,
count and review my
thyroid cancer survivors.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

My targeted OUTCOME:
At least 10 FILIPINOS ARE EMPOWERED based on
the OLETE results.
At least 10 FILIPINOS pass the OLETE on CCDTP
(causes, consequences, diagnoses, treatment,
prevention) of thyroid cancer and MORE!
So, pls. take the OLETE and help me achieve my
targeted OUTCOME.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

• Where is the thyroid gland?
• What is thyroid cancer?
• What are the causes of thyroid cancer? Ways to
prevent thyroid cancer?
• When to suspect one may have thyroid cancer?
• How to self-screen for thyroid cancer? How to do self-
examination of the thyroid gland?
• What are the consequences of thyroid cancers if not
diagnosed and treated early?
• What cost-effective diagnostic tests are usually being
done for thyroid cancer suspect?
• What are the usual treatment for thyroid cancer?
• What is prognosis after treatment for majority of
thyroid cancer and with early treatment?
What are the focused contents of ROJoson PEP Talk on
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Where is the thyroid gland?
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Where is the thyroid gland?
It is at the front, central neck.
Normally, the thyroid gland is NOT palpable or
barely palpable.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

What is thyroid cancer?
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

What is thyroid cancer?
Thyroid cancer is cancer originating in the
thyroid gland.
There are 3 common types in the Philippines:
- Papillary carcinoma (most common)
- Follicular carcinoma
- Anaplastic carcinoma (least common among
the 3)
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

What are the causes of thyroid cancer? Ways to
prevent?
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

What are the causes of thyroid cancer? Ways to
prevent?
Except for people with excessive exposure to
radiation on the neck, the cause is NOT known.
Anybody can have thyroid cancer with the exact
cause not being established. It just appears.
Again, except for avoiding excessive radiation
exposure to the neck, there is no other known
ways of prevention.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

When to suspect one may have thyroid cancer?
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

The starting point in suspecting thyroid cancer is
the palpation of a mass on the front central neck
(where the thyroid gland is located). The mass
may not be visible yet but palpable already. It
can be of any size and of any number (single or
multiple).
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

the palpation of a mass on the front central
neck.
Make sure the mass or
masses move with
swallowing for you to say
they are thyroid in origin.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

neck.
I said “starting point” -
because
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

neck.
YOU DON’T SUSPECT THYROID CANCER IF
THERE IS NO PALPABLE MASS.
NOTE: A thyroid
mass seen on
ultrasound and
other imaging
studies will also
prompt suspicion of
thyroid cancer.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

the palpation of a mass on the front central neck
(on the thyroid gland).
SO, PALPATE YOUR NECK REGULARLY AT
LEAST ONCE A MONTH.
If there is NO palpable mass on the
thyroid gland, then don’t worry about
thyroid cancer.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

How to self-screen for thyroid cancer
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

ROJoson Personal Recommendations:
• Neck and thyroid self-examination
monthly starting at age 18 and onwards
• If a mass is felt, consult a physician
right away.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

How to do self-examination of the thyroid
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Possible findings on self-examination of the thyroid
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

NOT a thyroid cancer
suspect.
If there is NO palpable
mass on the thyroid gland,
then don’t worry about
thyroid cancer.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Possible findings on self-examination of the thyroid
If thyroid nodule/s or
mass/es is/are
palpated, thyroid
cancer is a possibility.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Suspect thyroid cancer if lump
/ lumps are
• HARD in consistency
• FIXED
• Accompanied by
• Persistent and
progressive hoarseness
• another lump on the side
of the neck (lymph node)
• a distant mass suggestive
of spread (bones / lungs)
How to do self-examination of the thyroid Cues for
malignancy
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

/ lumps are
• FIXED
• Accompanied by
• Persistent and
Cues for
malignancy
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

/ lumps are
• FIXED
• Accompanied by
• Persistent and
How to do self-examination of the thyroid In the absence of
cues for
malignancy,
more likely,
the lump / lumps
are BENIGN, NOT
CANCER (more
common).
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

What are the consequences of thyroid cancers?
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Continuous growth of mass or tumor or nodule.
Invasion of the surrounding tissues.
Spread to lymph nodes and to distant organs.
Death.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Behavior of
common types of
thyroid cancers
• Papillary
cancers
• Follicular
cancers
• Anaplastic
cancers
Papillary thyroid cancers usually spread via
the lymph channels (lymph nodes on the
neck)
Follicular thyroid cancers usually spread
via the blood channels
Most common sites of metastasis:
• Bones
• Lungs
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Behavior of
common types of
thyroid cancers
• Papillary
cancers
• Follicular
cancers
• Anaplastic
cancers
Anaplastic thyroid cancers usually cause
suffocation.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

EARLY RECOGNITION, DIAGNOSIS AND
TREATMENT ARE OF PRIME IMPORTANCE
TO AVOID SUFFERING AND DEATH FROM
THYROID CANCERS.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

What cost-effective diagnostic tests are usually
being done for thyroid cancer suspect after
physical examination?
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

• Ultrasound of the thyroid gland / neck
• Needle biopsy
Note: Thyroid function tests (FT3, FT4, TSH) not
diagnostic for thyroid cancers.
Should NOT be routinely done – waste of
resources.
being done for thyroid cancer suspect after
physical examination?
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

• Ultrasound of the thyroid gland / neck
being done for thyroid cancer suspect?
Be wary of the
readings.
Becoming more
complicated with the
TIRADS (Thyroid Imaging
Reporting and Data
Systems) – with a lot of
alarming reports.
Have a thyroid clinician
specialist interpret
reports.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

• Needle biopsy
• What cost-effective diagnostic tests are usually
being done for thyroid cancer suspect?
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

What are the usual treatment for thyroid cancer?
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

What are the usual treatment for thyroid cancer?
Surgery is the primary treatment.
May be subtotal or total thyroidectomy with or
without neck dissection of lymph nodes
depending on extent of cancer.
Radioactive iodine therapy may be given after
surgery.
External beam radiation may be considered for
late stages and anaplastic carcinomas.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

What is prognosis after treatment for majority of
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Depends on the type of thyroid cancer
Best prognosis: Papillary Cancers (most common)
Follicular Cancers
Worst prognosis: Anaplastic Cancers (least
common) [5-year survival rate =7%]
Papillary Cancers
One study cited:
5-year survival rate: 97%
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih
.gov/pmc/articles/PMC58
01380/
Follicular Cancers
Though survival rates
lower than those of
papillary cancers, they are
near the vicinity (ex. Near
100% for papillary ca; 98%
for follicular ca)
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Depends on the type of thyroid cancer
Best prognosis: Papillary Cancers (most common)
Follicular Cancers
Worst prognosis: Anaplastic Cancers (least
common) [5-year survival rate =7%]
Papillary Cancers
One study cited:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih
.gov/pmc/articles/PMC58
01380/
Follicular Cancers
Though survival rates
lower than those of
papillary cancers, they are
near the vicinity (ex. Near
100% for papillary ca; 98%
for follicular ca)
So, go for early recognition,
diagnosis and surgical
treatment of thyroid cancer
to have a better chance for
cure and to avoid unwanted
suffering and death!
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

ROJoson Registry of Thyroid Cancer Survivors and
Recognition
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Recognition
To better convince you of the importance of early
recognition, diagnosis and surgical treatment (and
to inspire you), I will now present to you my
registry of thyroid cancer survivors whom I have
treated from 1982 up to the present (about 40
years).
Criterion for inclusion in this registry: at least 10
years in remission after a thyroid cancer
operation.
NOTE: this is a partial list (not all followed-up).
25 Thyroid Cancer
Survivors in the
Registry
https://sites.google.com/s
ite/rojosonscancersurvivo
rs/home
rs2
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Recognition
Range of Remission: 10 years to 40 years
31 to 40 years - 11
21 to 30 years - 5
11 to 20 years – 9
Only one has been documented to have died of
recurrence of thyroid cancer (but she lived for
about 12 years after the operation).
25 Thyroid Cancer
Survivors in the
Registry
rs/home
rs2
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Recognition
As of 2023
Thyroid Cancer Survivor Leticia Cacho – 41 years in Remission
Thyroid Cancer Survivor Lourdes Gonzalez – 36 Years in Remission
Thyroid Cancer Survivor Carolina Lagoy – 36 Years in Remission
Thyroid Cancer Survivor Jean Bella Tipace – 35 Years in Remission
Thyroid Cancer Survivor Aida Antonio – 35 Years in Remission
Thyroid Cancer Survivor Virginia Gawaran – 35 Years in Remission
Thyroid Cancer Survivor LeonieL –34 Years in Remission
Thyroid Cancer Survivor Lucia Desembrana – 33 Years in Remission
Thyroid Cancer Survivor Ramil Adriano – 32 Years in Remission
Thyroid Cancer Survivor Letty Kuan - 31 Years in Remission (died in 2023 of other cause)
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Recognition
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2022
As of 2023 –
Nelida Gedalanga – 30 Years in Remission
Araceli Soria – 26 Years in Remission
Vivian Olanan – 23 Years in Remission
Ramona Tapia – 22 Years in Remission
Marjorie Acosta – 20 Years in Remission
Alicia de la Cruz – 20 Years in Remission
SZFranco - 20 Years in Remission
Luzvilla Janeo – 19 Years in Remission
N. Arbis – 18 Years in Remission
HC – 18 Years in Remission
Cynthia Colle – 17 Years in Remission
MPPoblxtx – 11 Years in Remission

ROJoson Registry of Thyroid Cancer Survivors
and Recognition
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Contents:
• When is National Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week in
the Philippines?
• What are the objectives of National Thyroid Cancer
Awareness Week?
• How do we observe the National Thyroid Cancer
Awareness Week? You and Me?
• What are ROJoson’s specific contributions to the
National Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week in the
• What are the objectives, target impact and target
outcome of the WEEK?
• What are the focused contents of ROJoson PEP Talk on
• Recognition of ROJoson Thyroid Cancer Survivors and
sharing of experience
Will give another
outline on this.
Summary
Take Away
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

• Where is the thyroid gland?
• What is thyroid cancer?
• What are the causes of thyroid cancer? Ways to
prevent thyroid cancer?
• When to suspect one may have thyroid cancer?
• How to self-screen for thyroid cancer? How to do self-
examination of the thyroid gland?
• What are the consequences of thyroid cancers if not
diagnosed and treated early?
• What cost-effective diagnostic tests are usually being
done for thyroid cancer suspect?
• What are the usual treatment for thyroid cancer?
• What is prognosis after treatment for majority of
What are the focused contents of ROJoson PEP Talk on
Summary
Take Away
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Take Away in
relation to
Patient
Empowerment
Be always in touch with reliable medical
information on THYROID CANCER.
Knowledge is power; it gives power.
Use the 4Ks of Patient Empowerment:
Kaalaman, Kakayanan, Karapatan and
Kapangyarihan
to gain greater control over decisions in
medical management of oneself by
knowing the fundamentals and
generalities of THYROID CANCER in their
health management.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Empowerment
objective - for
understanding of
fundamentals and
generalities of
THYROID CANCER in
their health
management.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023

Empowerment
objective - for
understanding of
fundamentals and
generalities of
THYROID CANCER in
their health
management.
National
Thyroid Cancer
Awareness
Week - 2023
LET’S NOW HAVE A
GROUP PICTURE
TAKING BEFORE WE
START Q&A AND
INTERACTIONS!
Pls. turn on your
video!
Show your face!

ROJoson PEP Talk: National Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week - 2023

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ROJoson PEP Talk: National Thyroid Cancer Awareness Week - 2023